Gastric Bypass Surgery is not for everyone. This procedure is meant to be the very last resort for individuals who are obese (for men who are at least 100 pounds overweight and for women who are at least 80 pounds overweight) and who have tried and failed at least six diet and exercise plans. What is essential to understand, however, is that once the surgery has been performed, major life-style changes must be adhered to. The procedure is by no means a magic cure for obesity, but a first step in changing your relationship with yourself, with the food you eat and dealing with the common aftereffects of the surgery itself. As with many surgeries, death is also a possibility.

The nature of Gastric Bypass is not only to reduce the size of the stomach pouch so that less food can be taken in, but to also remove essential parts of the digestive tract so that you will absorb fewer calories. These parts would be the duodenum and the jejunum, both functional areas of the small intestine which aid in digestion and nutrition absorption. As soon as these portions of the GI tract have been removed, you must expect that you will not only be eating small portions of food, but the nutritional value of the food will be diminished as it will not be efficiently absorbed into the body. Anemia is a common result of vitamin B12 deficiency, and lack of calcium can lead to osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease. For many people, nausea, vomiting and severe cramps will occur due to continued overeating and eating fatty or sweet foods. These foods should be avoided altogether. Artificial sweeteners are recommended after the surgery, yet these sweeteners have also been linked to obesity.

Another common aftereffect of Gastric Bypass Surgery is that other vital organs within the GI tract can become accidentally nicked during the surgery. Often the gallbladder has to be removed due to nicking, which leads to debilitating chronic diarrhea, as the gallbladder is essential organ that stores the bile which is made in the liver. Without the gallbladder, the liver can become overwhelmed while trying to digest fatty foods and dump bile while trying to digest fats. There can also be leaking of stomach acid through the incisions, which causes scorching of other vital organs. Other crucial organs can also be damaged during the procedure.

“Dumping Syndrome” can also occur. This is when the stomach contents move too quickly through the intestines, due to the loss of the duodenum and the jejunum. This can cause diarrhea, faintness with sweating, and weakness, as well as severe weakness when eating sugar. Antibiotics are given during surgery, which will further upset the balance of your GI tract. Please see my article on the dangers of antibiotics. The Hidden Dangers of Antibiotics

Based on the research that I have done, truly very few people are good candidates for Gastric Bypass Surgery. Before you have parts of your body removed for weight loss, be sure you know why you are obese. Do you overeat due to depression, emotional issues or addictive personality issues? These things will not go away with surgery. You may become thin, but transfer your issues to other addictions. Common post operative addictions are alcoholism and sex addiction. Always seek therapy before agreeing to surgery for weight loss. Understand why you have been unsuccessful with the lifestyle changes in the past which you will need to follow after the surgery, and you may find they dissipate without the surgery. As with any condition, seek the cause and the cure may very well lie within it.

*Please know that I am not a medical doctor or a health practitioner. I cannot diagnose your stomach problems nor can I guarantee a cure. I am here to share my knowledge, which applications have worked for me and to offer suggestions of where you may go physically, emotionally and spiritually for healing and self-empowerment. If you choose to explore alternative medicine, do not independently stop taking your prescribed medications. Always consult with your current doctor as well as your new practitioner when changing your medical program.